Gloucestershire County Council has been lambasted for running a "cash grab" from commuters on the first day of a new parking scheme in the town.

From today, residents and businesses in the Lansdown, Railway and West End areas will require new permits to park their cars outside homes and places of work.

New parking meters have been installed and residents have been warned to buy £50 permits to avoid being at risk of receiving a parking ticket.

Streets in Cheltenham which were once teeming with commuters such as Parabola Road and Malvern Road are quiet this morning with many empty parking bays while working people either pay up or struggle to find spaces elsewhere.

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But one commuter, who did not wish to be named, said: "I think it's outrageous we're being charged. It's a money grab and it has nothing to do with the number of vehicles."

Parabola Road.

Another commuter added: "It's going to stop people coming into town. People are going to use the retail parks more than they did - I think the town will suffer."

Changes have been introduced to help drivers reach the railway station and avoid parking in the area.

Rail users will now be able to park their car at the Arle Court Park and Ride site, board the 511 bus and get off at the new stop on Lansdown Road where they will be a short walk from the station.

Parabola Road.

Jim Daniels, parking manager at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The new scheme in Cheltenham West is designed to increase footfall for local businesses. The approach has worked in other areas of Cheltenham by improving access for visitors and easing parking for residents.

"All money generated from the permit scheme will be put straight into the county’s parking services.”